Chapter 2: The Eldest Senior Brother Gets Bitten: First Meeting

After explaining the most basic situation, the so-called system residing in Pei Chengyin’s body fell silent, showing no intention to continue.

In contrast, the systems on the other side were repeatedly communicating with the four individuals opposite.

[Your approach seems fine at first glance – using actions to build favorability is correct.]

[You missed the golden opportunity. The first meeting is the best time to establish favorability and relationships… Well, I hadn’t actually appeared yet when you first met.]

[Aren’t you going to take any action at all?]

[Though you’re young, you have your own advantages. You need to think carefully about this yourself.]

The chaotic voices gave Pei Chengyin a headache. Just as he wanted to press his temples to clear his mind and determine whether this was reality or auditory hallucinations, a large shadow enveloped him from behind.

Pei Chengyin turned around.

Standing behind him was a disheveled middle-aged man wearing the standard blue-and-white immortal cultivation uniform of the Lingxu Immortal Sect. The uniform was wrinkled from washing, his hair was tousled in all directions, and he had a stubbled beard. If not for his relatively upright posture, Pei Chengyin would have thought a thief had broken in.

Master, Pei Chengyin exclaimed in surprise.

Little Yin, Yu Xuhuai asked proudly while stroking his prickly chin, Haven’t I become more handsome and dashing after not seeing me for some time?

At these words, Xu Zhian and the others all showed expressions of disgust.

Under Yu Xuhuai’s expectant gaze, Pei Chengyin opened his mouth and, after a brief internal struggle, said guiltily: Yes.

Hahahaha. Yu Xuhuai laughed heartily, reached out to pat his back, and led him forward. Passing by the other four disciples, he made Pei Chengyin sit in the frontmost position before finally taking his own seat in the central chair.

Pei Chengyin sat upright and properly, looking obediently at his master.

Master, you’re back late. Because of Yu Xuhuai’s appearance, everyone else stopped conversing with the systems in their minds and turned their attention to their slovenly master.

Yu Xuhuai’s body slumped crookedly against the chair, nearly sliding off because he wasn’t sitting properly.

Xu Zhian and the other three sighed in unison, having long grown accustomed to his erratic behavior.

It’s fine, it’s fine. I stayed up too late last night and I’m still a bit sleepy. Yu Xuhuai struggled to sit up properly, then picked up the teacup on the table. After taking a sip, he commented somewhat dissatisfied: It’s cold.

Jiang Yining: …

Could she really not drag this master outside and give him a beating?

If you don’t believe me, Little Yin, have a taste. Seeing their doubtful expressions, Yu Xuhuai felt like the word wronged was hanging over his head.

Pei Chengyin actually picked up the teacup on the table, took a small sip, then not only nodded in agreement with Yu Xuhuai’s assessment but added his own opinion: The tea is too strong.

Master, if you have something to tell us, just say it directly. Changsun Zexi interrupted the unnecessary back-and-forth between Pei Chengyin and Yu Xuhuai. If they allowed their irresponsible master and unreliable eldest senior brother to continue their exchange, they could waste an entire day without making any meaningful progress.

Yu Xuhuai heard his disciple’s urging and couldn’t help but take another sip of tea. After much deliberation, he hesitantly explained the reason for his delayed return to the sect: Ten days ago, I had already finished the meeting at the Celestial Pivot Bureau and began my journey back. But along the way, I detected overwhelming demonic energy emanating from the northeast. At that time, there were no fellow cultivators around—only me. Driven by curiosity and fear, I stealthily went to investigate.

Though the incident had passed, everyone present paled upon hearing this.

The reason was simple: Yu Xuhuai’s cultivation level was merely average, and any location emitting such overwhelming demonic energy must be teeming with demons. A single misstep could have meant he would never return.

What were you thinking? Xu Zhian asked with a sarcastic smile, stepping forward to grab Yu Xuhuai’s ear and scolding him without regard for seniority. Didn’t we tell you to avoid meddling in outside affairs and return directly after the meeting?

Ah… ouch! Yu Xuhuai cried out in pain. At the critical moment, he blurted the most important line: But I returned safely, didn’t I?

You returned, but did you bring any strange things back with you? Xu Zhian knew this impulsive master of his all too well.

N-no… nothing! Yu Xuhuai stammered but spoke with unwavering firmness. To prove his point, he deliberately puffed out his chest, widened his eyes, and looked at his disciple with an expression of righteous integrity.

Perhaps because his face appeared too strained, Xu Zhian temporarily let him off and released his grip.

Rubbing his sore ear, Yu Xuhuai continued: I discovered a field of corpses and suspected demons had slaughtered a village. I reported the incident to the Celestial Pivot Bureau, which delayed my return.

That’s somewhat acceptable. Xu Zhian sighed in relief. At least his master hadn’t caused trouble outside. Given the Lingxu Immortal Sect’s capabilities, even a moderately serious incident could leave the entire place precarious—after all, they were just an utterly ordinary sect.

By the way, let me share what I learned at the meeting. The Celestial Pivot Bureau warned us to be cautious. Recently, it’s the Yin Tide Moon, when celestial and earthly energies intertwine. Many incomprehensible phenomena may occur. Avoid going out at night to prevent encountering demons absorbing yin energy. Stay away from eerie entities that disrupt causality, and do not wander into spacetime rifts, lest you never return to the right place. Yu Xuhuai finally spoke more seriously when discussing official matters. This notice must be relayed to all areas under the sect’s jurisdiction. I’ve already sent people to post announcements downhill.

However, as he spoke these words, he remained unaware that the five disciples before him had already made contact with incomprehensible beings and struck some kind of deal.

Yu Xuhuai proceeded to routinely explain some matters before dismissing the assembly.

He hurriedly dashed out the door, rushing ahead of his five disciples.

Master is definitely hiding something from us, Xu Zhian observed with sharp insight.

If Master doesn’t wish to speak, we shouldn’t force him. Pei Chengyin kept his right hand behind his back, watching with understanding as Yu Xuhuai stumbled away in retreat. Had he been more sharp-tongued, he would have pointed out directly that Yu Xuhuai currently resembled a furtive thief—someone you’d want to tie up and interrogate under lash.

Fair point. Xu Zhian figured Yu Xuhuai couldn’t possibly cause much trouble. He then immediately shifted targets, reaching out to sling an arm over Pei Chengyin’s shoulder.

Pei Chengyin turned his head to look at Xu Zhian. As he lifted his gaze, his long, thick eyelashes swept upward like butterfly wings fluttering.

The weather is splendid today, Senior Brother. Would you like to take a stroll with me? Xu Zhian raised a hand, gesturing toward the scenery outside.

Just then, a cold wind blew in, carrying faint traces of snow. The chill emanating from the ancient mountain range made winter linger longer within this aged sect.

Pei Chengyin remained silent for a long moment.

What’s interesting about strolling with smelly men? Jiang Yining stepped in front of Pei Chengyin, smiling brightly as she pointed at herself. No matter how you think about it, spending time with a beauty is much more enjoyable, right?

Beauty? Xu Zhian’s eyes swept over Jiang Yining’s face, and he couldn’t hold back a scoff.

What are you laughing at! Jiang Yining planted her hands on her hips, roaring at Xu Zhian.

I… I-I… He Xiu wanted to speak up but found no opening.

Changsun Zexi stood in place and sighed.

To prevent further argument, Pei Chengyin came up with a perfect solution. Then why don’t all of you escort me back to my courtyard?

The weather was so cold—it was time to return to the warmth of the charcoal brazier and crack some melon seeds.

The other four fell into simultaneous silence.

[I overthought it.]

The voice in Pei Chengyin’s mind suddenly spoke.

[You must be extremely difficult to conquer.]

Pei Chengyin felt he was being mocked.

Escorting Pei Chengyin was a waste of time with no tangible results—all four unanimously reached this conclusion and let him leave freely.

Pei Chengyin returned the same way he came and, true to his plan, sat before the charcoal brazier cracking melon seeds while chatting with the voice that had appeared in his head.

[I am not from this time period.]

[I am an existence that comprehends the Heavenly Dao, traversing past and future. The current you cannot possibly understand.]

[My enemy and I are locked in a standoff in another spacetime. Due to the influence of the Yin Tide Moon, I accidentally arrived here.]

[Your junior martial brothers and sisters were possessed by the system a few days ago.]

[The mission given to them by the system is to conquer you.]

[I am exhausted. If I hadn’t attached myself to you, I would have likely fallen into an even stranger time point. I had no choice but to land here.]

Pei Chengyin had a question: What are the other time points?

[The distant future.]

That system thing possessing my junior martial brothers and sisters—why does it want me to fall in love with them? This was the point Pei Chengyin found most perplexing.

[I cannot say. But don’t blame them—they likely mean you no harm. They’re forced to comply under the system’s threats.]

[Timelines are fragile. Even slight alterations can drastically change a timeline’s course, and the final consequences are always unknown.]

[I have my own mission: to prevent it from altering the future.]

Pei Chengyin cracked a melon seed, unable to figure out how him falling in love with someone could possibly affect the future.

Who in the present could predict the future

Pei Chengyin had another question: If I remain indifferent, will it have any effect on their bodies?

I don’t know the deal they made

Pei Chengyin pondered.

Don’t do anything outrageous

This system in his mind, peering into his every thought, made Pei Chengyin unbearably restless and extremely uncomfortable.

Most of the time, I won’t read your thoughts. Once I recover, I’ll immediately take my enemy away and restore peace to all of you

Alright. Pei Chengyin didn’t fully trust this system, but currently he knew nothing about it and had no way to expel it, so he could only accept the situation for now.

If you complete the mission, I’ll do one thing for you—anything at all, I won’t go back on my word

Pei Chengyin cheerfully grabbed some melon seeds from the plate, not taking the system’s words seriously.

In his view, there was no goal in this world that required others to achieve.

The system didn’t press further to explain. It came from the future and knew that one day, Pei Chengyin would accept this reward.

Following its words, the system temporarily rested, its voice disappearing from his mind.

That night, Pei Chengyin sat in his chair waiting for Zhou Fuli to bring him dinner. Only when he was starving did he remember that Zhou Fuli had apparently informed him earlier—he was going down the mountain with other junior disciples to carry out a task assigned by the Sect Leader, and Pei Chengyin would have to handle his own dinner tonight. Pei Chengyin sighed, then stepped onto the floor, grabbed his cloak, and went out into the winter night, heading straight for the nearest side courtyard kitchen.

Recently, the courtyard’s finances were tight. A few scattered lanterns hung outside, casting only faint light ahead on the path while the rest remained shrouded in darkness. Walking down the long corridor led to a side courtyard where two lanterns hung at the entrance, emitting a dim glow that illuminated the slightly faded bluestone slabs. The Lingxu Immortal Sect was once a glorious sect—even the kitchen in a side courtyard was exquisitely structured. Though it retained its former layout, it could no longer recreate the bustling atmosphere of millennia past. The corners of the courtyard were difficult to see clearly; though it was a spacious area, darkness pressed against the walls, isolating the place. Under the moonlight, for a moment, the sect seemed as if abandoned by the world in some forgotten corner.

Pei Chengyin naturally walked to the building and pushed the door open.

A loud creak echoed in the darkness.

Moonlight from above streamed through the open door, casting a beam of pale, cold, eerie, and unfathomable light.

Familiar with the place, Pei Chengyin stepped inside and went to the stove. Lifting the lid, he saw several plates of pastries inside.

His neatly trimmed fingers reached in, preparing to take both the plate and the food away.

Pei Chengyin rarely entered the kitchen, so his movements were clumsy and slow. He gradually took out the plate, placed it on the table, and then returned the lid to the iron pot.

Just as he was about to pick up the plate and turn to leave, a sudden shadow flickered at the edge of the moonlight spilled on the floor.

Pei Chengyin froze.

His reaction was too obvious—whoever was hiding in the darkness noticed it almost immediately.

Almost simultaneously, both figures sprang into action. The person hiding in the kitchen tried to dash through the doorway, while Pei Chengyin swiftly moved to grab them.

In that critical second, Pei Chengyin proved faster. Without bothering to discern what lurked in the darkness, he immediately reached out to seize the intruder by the throat. The shadowy figure was no ordinary opponent either—they raised an arm to block Pei Chengyin’s hand and attempted to use the momentum to shove him aside. But Pei Chengyin’s larger frame remained unmoved; his pinned hands continued pressing downward against someone who barely reached his chest height.

Perhaps realizing they were outmatched, the intruder resorted to desperate measures, lunging violently at Pei Chengyin.

Caught off guard by this move, Pei Chengyin lost his balance and tumbled backward.

With a loud thud, both crashed to the floor before the doorway. Moonlight stabbed into Pei Chengyin’s eyes, making him instinctively shut them. A slender figure quickly pinned his waist—a disheveled youth whose features were obscured by tangled hair raised a bony hand, poised to deliver a knockout chop to the person sprawled on the floor.

But as light fell across Pei Chengyin’s face, the youth’s shadowy eyes registered his appearance, and the raised hand froze mid-air.

The bright moon hung high in the sky, while a chill breeze seemed to slow as if sensing destiny shifting like drifting mist.

Finally adjusting to the sudden brightness, Pei Chengyin opened his eyes and glared at his assailant.

Their gazes locked. Pei Chengyin’s long black curls splayed across the floorboards, his amber eyes resembling crystallized millennia of breathtaking beauty—translucent and radiant. His fair, delicate skin appeared almost unnaturally exquisite.

The youth was stunned by his beauty, mind going blank.

Pei Chengyin, still intent on capturing him, reached out.

Moments later, the tranquil Lingxu Immortal Sect echoed with Pei Chengyin’s earth-shattering scream.

Someone bit me! Someone bit me! My hand! Owwww, it hurts, it hurts!

————————

Mini Theater

Pei Chengyin: Why did you stop back then? Why not chop my head?

Shi Baoyue: I considered it.

Pei Chengyin: Hm?

Shi Baoyue: Later I figured it out—must’ve been subconscious. Felt like chopping would make the person even dumber.

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